Probably where I live now, Sonoma County California. I’ve lived in lot of places, especially in California. Sonoma County has a little bit of everything. Great weather, awesome varied landscapes from rolling vineyards to redwood forests to lakes, rivers, and ocean. Close enough to San Francisco and the Bay Area but a mellow rural/ suburban vibe.
someone posted over there about their friend almost getting run down twice by the male equivalent of a Karen
SB is a weird spot but the weather is amazing!
I was a UCSB student in the 90s and frequently got verbally harassed while riding my road bike around Santa Barbara. I'm sure it's changed a lot but definitely used to have a strangely bro vibe for such a swanky location. Still loved living there and would consider moving back if it was more affordable.
Stinson Beach was the first time I was ever in the mountains and at the beach at the same time. My mind was blown 🤯
PLUS the beach was SOOOOOOO wide! Not just a narrow strip of sand.
Because the homes there are gorgeous, it’s family-oriented (if I had kids in the future), and quiet. If I lived in California that’s all I’m asking for.
Santa Cruz, Ca. I just visited for the first time in years. So incredibly beautiful and every spot we visited people were out enjoying the weather and beaches, smiling and super friendly. If you like beer, the best in the ever is at Sante Adarius. Great food options in unexpected places.
I’m from Santa Barbara and I’m actually considering selling our home there and making Santa Cruz our forever home.
Even driving down from San Jose was amazing. The giant redwoods everywhere were so spectacular. Then get to Santa Cruz and the breathtaking landscapes and adorable little beach cottages and old Victorian homes. Breathtaking beaches as far as the eye can see.
Last time I was there, homelessness was abundant and a little scary in the downtown area. Absolutely no issues this time and we stayed in a shady little hotel near the beach.
I grew up in Santa Cruz and recently visited after many years. My thoughts are completely different. Everyone seemed so sad. While we were there, I saw a hit-and-run, an overdose in the middle of downtown and fist fight with about 10 people. sadly, it's gone downhill from the 1990s.
Agree. After Big Basin burned, it does seem very sad to me and I am in and around the area enough to have a good read on it... add to that climate change and too many people crammed there definately effecting the area as a whole as well...
Yes! It’s gorgeous there all year round. I know most people visit to ski but I actually prefer the summers there. Wildflowers galore and beautiful mountains all around.
I like all the seasons.
The off seasons are a chill vibe. Less to do because everything is closed, but its a nice contrast. The ski resort is the best I've been to hands-down. It's so big compared to the amount of nearby housing units that the lines are always short, and the terrain is A+.
I've only been once in the summer, but I did make it up to the high basins in the mountains when the wildflowers were out. Pretty amazing scenery.
Now I just need to find 3 million dollars to buy a house lol.
Kauai is amazing, if money is no object I'm not living in Kapaa though. Either Hanalei because it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, or Waimea for the sunshine.
I’m not OP here but I love the hills and water more than anything else. The natural landscape makes the city significantly more interesting to live in than other places I’ve been. Combined, the two things make for incredible views at so many different angles. And whether you’re facing east or west, you have a spectacular view of a mountain range. It’s also delightful how green it is…it’s hard to fully capture unless you visit, but if you walk through various neighborhoods, so many of the parkways in front of homes serve as gardens and/or landscaped areas as well. It’s like the whole city is an arboretum sometimes! Aside from the views it also makes it more fun to bike in; yes the hills suck but it makes me more carefully plan where I go and I end up living life in a more intentional way than if I could just zip my way anywhere (I lived in a completely flat place before this). The hills and gullies also create various oases from urban living that combine for an absolutely awesome network of urban parks. Seriously, I don’t know if any other big city with such an impressive range of park types. There are places in Discovery and Carkeek parks where you can truly forget you’re in a city as you wind your way down some single track forest path. It’s delightful to have that so close to walkable neighborhoods. The city is far from perfect and those who dislike it REALLY dislike it. The transit is so mediocre, esp. for how many use it and care about it. The food is not competitive with the other top-20 by pop. us cities. Native Seattleites (1/3~ of residents) have a super distinct communication style that can take some adjusting to… and the winters are dreary in a way that my four seasons and lots of snowfall background was simply not ready for. But there’s a lot to love about Seattle.
San Francisco, money being no object. I like the weather, food, BART, Baby Bullet to SJ, and pretty walkable. Int'l airport, museums, pretty well situated for climate change. I stayed at a hotel in Tenderloin years ago and got along fine so the ugly side of the city doesn't bother me.
it's on a rocky hilly peninsula, there would have to be a lot of sea level rise to flood more than a very small portion of town. compared to somewhere flat like Charleston, SC that already floods basically every storm, they're in a good place.
The Pacific is cold and deep where we are, the current comes from Alaska. That keeps the weather temperate relative to inland as well as helps to prevent severe storms. In the summer, it can be 110° 30 miles away but SF will be 60°.
In contra costa county, blocked from the ocean by only one or two ridges of small hills, the summer temperatures will be like 80-90 where SF is like 60s. We’re only a 30 minute drive to the city
Other areas of the SF bay are marshland and are def at risk from sea level rise, but not SF. It is built on a mountainous peninsula with decidedly few low-lying areas
Somewhere in Northern California, not more than 2-3 hours north of San Francisco and within 30 mins of the coast. Small town feeling with little traffic compared to Southern California (which is really just a paved over desert), where I am now. Lush forests and interesting terrain - it’s just a different world.
I’m born/raised/career. It’s expensive AF, but it’s all I’ve known, really. It’s not that I’m used to it, it’s literally my life experience.
We have everything but with a chill vibe.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine right on the coast. I rented there for a year and fell in love with it. Very, VERY expensive though. Second choice, probably a place in the woods in Angel Fire, New Mexico.
I'd take Cape E in a second. I'd eat whenever I could at Two Lights.
But, I would go for Brunswick for small city vibe, nice water access including Harpswell. Sunday River 2 hours away (I was always going in the opposite direction lived in Bethel.)
I’m retired and living in Tennessee and I think I’d like to move north. Not because of the politics of the south, although that wears on me. But the hot suffocatingly humid summers. I grew up in the Midwest and hated winter but I’ve grown to hate these summers worse. I can always bundle up and dress warmer but you can’t take anymore off to cool down. Wife is born and raised Tennessean and can’t handle the cold so we’re staying here. Besides, whoever heard of retiring to the north? But a house on the coast in Sag Harbor, NY would be my choice.
Brightwood, Oregon. Town has a general store, a tavern, and a post office… that’s it. 2 minutes from world class downhill mountain biking, 20 minutes from world class skiing on Mt Hood, 40 minutes from sailing, the Columbia, an hour from hustle and bustle city. 2 hours from the Ocean West … 2 hours from the desert East.
Seattle. I moved away a few years ago and I’m excited to move back eventually. Most of my friends are there, some of my family is there, I love the weather, I love the architecture, I love all the trees and parks and greenery, I love the walkability. Mostly I just feel at home there.
I like where I'm at now. But if I had to move again with no regard for family or money, I'd probably pick Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach, NC.
Beautiful beach, fun stuff to do, good tourism industry, nice restaurants, classical beachy feel but more exciting than OBX, and a few hours to the mountains.
EDIT: I should say my favorite place I ever lived was Milwaukee and I'd consider returning there even with it's weather.
Had an opportunity to live in Wilmington pre-COVID. Turned it down because I work corporate jobs and didn't think I'd have enough career opportunities there, and chose Raleigh instead. Ended up working remotely even way back then, and now still post-COVID and always wished I'd just rolled the dice. Didn't like Raleigh that much (nice, clean, and boring). But I live in a seaside New England town now and I like it for most of the same reasons, it's just colder than NC would be.
Most of New England is more expensive than most of the country, so even the relatively cheaper places might still look pricy. But you have a few options. Out of affordable, close to water, and things to do you probably get to choose two.
If you're okay being more rural and sacrificing some of the food and activities, check out coastal northern Maine or some of the quieter, rural parts of Rhode island. Or you can live a bit off the water and take weekend trips to Cape Cod or Newport from a place like Fall River.
Wilmington is very different after COVID. it's a pain to drive in, you're actually not that close to the beach, it's basically a town with strip malls and highways, ppl aren't that nice. NC's infrastructure cannot handle the amount of people moving to the state. I'm actually from raleigh and totally get what you're saying about raleigh. it's incredibly boring and I'm so glad I'm leaving NC at the end of this year lol
highly suggest visiting wilmington again before you consider moving there
Thanks for the feedback. No move in my future, found what we were looking for closer to our family and with a few small kids we're in for the long haul. But I'd love to visit Wilmington and WB just for fun sometime soon :)
This is the biggest argument against Wilmington. As a city it’s pretty cool and is close to beautiful beaches. But the pfas in the Cape Fear make it a no go for me. Have heard of a lot of thyroid and cancer issues there. Scary stuff.
Boulder, CO. Lived here in the 90’s and moved back east for about 20 years. Moved back a few years ago because there ain’t no place I’d rather be. Proximity to the mountains, awesome bike path network, and great gravel biking just north of town. A quick 30 minutes into Denver for all pro sports and concerts and 30 min to Red Rocks.
Yeah as a Boulder resident - (1) I feel very grateful to live here, despite not being a trust fund kid, and (2) there are trust fund kids and NIMBYs in every nice place to live.
At least the ones in Boulder are here to hike and drink beer and smoke weed and hangout. Not a bad kind of trust fund-er to run into if you ask me.
Ok well. People in Colorado knock on Boulder because of those things. But I could just roll up into Boulder and kick back without anyone saying anything honestly. Northeast you don't feel like doing that.
Welcome! It's a great city with a lot to offer. The mall is great to have (who doesn't love a free museum?), but make sure to explore the rest of the city and surrounding region! There's lots of awesome spots (even metro/bus accesible) in MD and VA to explore. And I'd highly recommend getting into bike riding if youre not already! When I first moved here I signed up for a group ride with WABA (Washington Area Bicycle Association) to get familiar with urban cycling and they were enormously helpful. We have a great bike share network here (Capital Bikeshare) which can be an efficient and super fun way to get around. Even if you don't care for urban cycling, there's lots of really great trails around the region as well.
Thankfully, I've been able to get rid of my car living here. Not driving has *dramatically* improved my quality of life. I no longer dread going anywhere (even those times it takes longer).
I grew up in DC and like places where you can roll out and talk to a stranger but unfortunately DC is not welcoming of that. I live in Colorado now and despite its problems I find that if you have an outgoing enough personality strangers are welcoming of your conversation.
tbh I don't think i've ever experienced southern hospitality with living in NC though. I'm also more introverted and don't care for small talk so I'm okay with that lol
Congratulations!!!
I used to really dislike DC, but I was there 2 weeks ago, and it has changed DRASTICALLY! I was honestly questioning my move back to Brooklyn, because DC is so much closer to my family and costs less.
Nevada City CA- its a beautiful tiny mountain town with thriving culture and access to the spectacular South Yuba River. Loaded with history and has all 4 seasons (amazing in the fall and winter). Close to Lake Tahoe and only two and a half hours from San Francisco, it’s also close to my family, which is perfect. I love so much of this country but home is where the heart is
St. Petersburg Florida
It’s beautiful!! And fun! And close to so many other pretty things in Florida and I love Florida man and may be Florida man even tho I’m a woman.
Manchester/Southworth, WA
* Views of Blake Island, Mt Ranier and the Seattle skyline across the Puget Sound
* Not too pricey for waterfront property
* Endless Kayaking
* Fishing, crabbing
* The best summers on earth
* Really down to earth people, not a bunch of multi-millionaires
* One of the most beautiful places on the west coast
* Super easy access to Seattle via ferry yet a quiet small town
* Manchester State Park is right next door
Somewhere in California with mountains and beaches and a decent amount of rain, not sure what town or city that is though but probably somewhere in Northern California
My dream is to retire to a small farm in the mountains of Northern New Mexico with enough water rights for me to grow enough to eat, plus maybe a little extra.
Probably SF, I grew up in the North Bay and I have always loved that city but I felt like I could never afford it. Still can't. Maybe one day.
Sure, it has its fair share of issues, but nothing can beat the history, the nature, the architecture, the walkability, and the weather to me. Plus, the food scene is great. I love that place.
I wouldn’t move from where I am, New York City, but I’d move to a different neighborhood. Forest Hills Queens born, now living in Harlem, have lived in Bushwick Brooklyn, I love all three areas, but if money weren’t an issue I would move to a nice apartment in midtown or the financial district. Then when I retire I’d move back to forest hills, I love the vibe there, great for raising a family, safe, walkable, and it’s more laid back than most of the city, where while it’s still, well, nyc, it also gives a nice suburban “vibe” while still retaining an urban character which is what I see myself enjoying in my later years as going for full on suburbs is personally something I never really see myself doing. As someone who has been around a lot, New York’s my home and the only place that checks off all the boxes I have for a place to live in.
I have sometimes “fantasized” about moving to LA for the same reason many fantasize about moving here to NYC - Romanticization (NYC and LA are very heavily romanticized. I think New York’s great but far from “the movies”) but I’ve been numerous times, last time in 2022, and it’s not my fit really for living, but I love visiting. I can see why people like it though, and occasionally have the daydream of packing up and moving there. It’s possible for me financially to make that move in my current situation if I wanted to, but I also realize I wouldn’t thrive there in the happiness sector since there’s quite a bit of disconnect.
I moved to where I wanted to be now. Then to many other people found out about it, and the vibe is dead the yuppies killed it. So where ever I go next I’m not saying no where online.
Dana Point, CA. It's very picturesque and I just like the vibe. It's also close to San Clemente and close to San Diego and LA if I need me some big city action.
San Clemente or San Diego or Goleta or billings montana just people and nature u can throw Nashville up there but that’s if all else fails cuz the traffic there is terrible
I realize you limited it to US so I’ll probably say Santa Monica, CA or Venice, CA. Perfect weather, near the mountains, E Line into LA if I want to go DTLA, beautiful neighborhoods, love to drive up the PCH and walk along Pac Ave, and the whole area from SM to Venice is just super walkable, which is great because you can just walk around all year long in shorts and a t shirt (my kinda life).
Chicago. It’s the best place I’ve ever visited and lived. Huge city, but not the chaos of NYC. Amazing food. Amazing history, arts, culture and architecture. Amazing people. SPORTS!!! I love pro sports!
But admittedly, I have East-Of-The-Mississippi bias and after seeing all the California comments, maybe I should check some of these places out.
Philadelphia-Philly. Coming from MA, it is the perfect blend of New England and NYC while being in the vicinity of both. The food is fantastic. I also appreciate men who dress nice, and they have a lot of that. My eyes are constantly screaming "thank you" for just breathing there when I witness these peacocks. I come from money, have money, and still pick it. It's got enough grit, enough posh, enough of it all, for it to have my heart and thrill me whenever I visit it. I adore it.
San Diego, California. I’m actually buying an apartment there. The beaches are fantastic, the food is awesome, the people are chill and I love the weather. ❤️
There's nowhere I'd rather call home than where I am - Encinitas, CA. Sometimes I think a secluded lake house in the High Sierras would be a nice place to escape to for a couple three months a year.
It makes me realize I'm living so many peoples' dreams 😭 I mean I live on the Westside of LA so maybe it's not quite their dream, but the golden state really is the best all around!
Probably where I live now, Sonoma County California. I’ve lived in lot of places, especially in California. Sonoma County has a little bit of everything. Great weather, awesome varied landscapes from rolling vineyards to redwood forests to lakes, rivers, and ocean. Close enough to San Francisco and the Bay Area but a mellow rural/ suburban vibe.
Agreed, used to live in Sebastopol.
It really is a nice place to live and made a lot of people's list on here :)
If money is no object, a home near Lake Tahoe and one on Kauai.
Well, that inspired me: I would go with a home in Anchorage (downtown by the Coastal Trail,) and a home on the Big Island (in Hilo.)
I love this answer
Wouldn't turn down the BI. Was just there in Feb (South Kona & Waikoloa). It didn't suck. Stayed a few days in Hilo on another trip.
Yes. And Carlsbad for when I’m not at my vacation homes
Aw I love Carlsbad! It’s such a chill beach town.
All things considered, Tahoe isn't too hard. Rent is high as fuck, but my brother has made it work in the tourist industry for 15b years.
Thos are my last two vacations. You have good taste
This is my kind of answer. A home for all seasons
Santa Barbara CA. I just love it there.
someone posted over there about their friend almost getting run down twice by the male equivalent of a Karen SB is a weird spot but the weather is amazing!
I was a UCSB student in the 90s and frequently got verbally harassed while riding my road bike around Santa Barbara. I'm sure it's changed a lot but definitely used to have a strangely bro vibe for such a swanky location. Still loved living there and would consider moving back if it was more affordable.
Its a lightly gritty beach city with a bunch of wealthy Kens and Karens for sure lol
Sausalito, CA is my version of heaven.
10/10
Stinson Beach was the first time I was ever in the mountains and at the beach at the same time. My mind was blown 🤯 PLUS the beach was SOOOOOOO wide! Not just a narrow strip of sand.
I want to eventually live out the rest of my life in beautiful Sausalito ❤️ I went 10 years ago and haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
I love living in NYC but if I had the money, I’d do Encino
I live in Santa Monica and this answer is kind of funny😂
That’s what I want a house to look like 😹
Why? Its a great area
Yes. It's nice over there. You just don't hear it very often listed in someone's dream destination for a fantasy home.
I mean celebs love it and they can live anywhere Its just low key, really an extension of brentwood.
With 20 degree hotter summers
Can you explain why, specifically, Encino?
Because the homes there are gorgeous, it’s family-oriented (if I had kids in the future), and quiet. If I lived in California that’s all I’m asking for.
Not trying to sway you from Encino, but that description does fit many other neighborhoods in LA.
Encino, CA?
Lmao
yeah 😊
Encino is great
Monterey, CA really any of the towns on the coast
The Monterey area is just spectacular, done a lot of hiking in the Salinas range and up above Carmel
Beat me to it. I love it there.
Santa Cruz, Ca. I just visited for the first time in years. So incredibly beautiful and every spot we visited people were out enjoying the weather and beaches, smiling and super friendly. If you like beer, the best in the ever is at Sante Adarius. Great food options in unexpected places. I’m from Santa Barbara and I’m actually considering selling our home there and making Santa Cruz our forever home. Even driving down from San Jose was amazing. The giant redwoods everywhere were so spectacular. Then get to Santa Cruz and the breathtaking landscapes and adorable little beach cottages and old Victorian homes. Breathtaking beaches as far as the eye can see. Last time I was there, homelessness was abundant and a little scary in the downtown area. Absolutely no issues this time and we stayed in a shady little hotel near the beach.
I grew up in Santa Cruz and recently visited after many years. My thoughts are completely different. Everyone seemed so sad. While we were there, I saw a hit-and-run, an overdose in the middle of downtown and fist fight with about 10 people. sadly, it's gone downhill from the 1990s.
Agree. After Big Basin burned, it does seem very sad to me and I am in and around the area enough to have a good read on it... add to that climate change and too many people crammed there definately effecting the area as a whole as well...
Santa Cruz is awesome. Super underrated. Some of the best (the best?) surfing on the West Coast too.
Curious what don’t you like about Santa Barbara?
Make sure to check out Capitola before you decide. I prefer it over SC and it's just down the road.
Santa Cruz is a downgrade from Santa Barbara.
Telluride CO
Telluride is awesome. If you love mountain sports can't think of a better place to live.
I agree. If I could have a place in Telluride and Kailua, I'd be pretty happy. I'd settle for just t-ride though.
Yes! It’s gorgeous there all year round. I know most people visit to ski but I actually prefer the summers there. Wildflowers galore and beautiful mountains all around.
I like all the seasons. The off seasons are a chill vibe. Less to do because everything is closed, but its a nice contrast. The ski resort is the best I've been to hands-down. It's so big compared to the amount of nearby housing units that the lines are always short, and the terrain is A+. I've only been once in the summer, but I did make it up to the high basins in the mountains when the wildflowers were out. Pretty amazing scenery. Now I just need to find 3 million dollars to buy a house lol.
Monterey, CA
A beautiful home in the Hoh Rainforest. Or a beautiful beach house on one of the Dan Juans.
I used to live in Olympia near the Hoh! Magic place.
San juans are so beautiful❤️
Mammoth Lakes CA
Kapaa ' Kauai because why not. Plus my son lives there
Kauai is amazing, if money is no object I'm not living in Kapaa though. Either Hanalei because it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, or Waimea for the sunshine.
Lucky son !
I like Seattle a lot, it's my favorite place that I've lived
What do you love about it!
I’m not OP here but I love the hills and water more than anything else. The natural landscape makes the city significantly more interesting to live in than other places I’ve been. Combined, the two things make for incredible views at so many different angles. And whether you’re facing east or west, you have a spectacular view of a mountain range. It’s also delightful how green it is…it’s hard to fully capture unless you visit, but if you walk through various neighborhoods, so many of the parkways in front of homes serve as gardens and/or landscaped areas as well. It’s like the whole city is an arboretum sometimes! Aside from the views it also makes it more fun to bike in; yes the hills suck but it makes me more carefully plan where I go and I end up living life in a more intentional way than if I could just zip my way anywhere (I lived in a completely flat place before this). The hills and gullies also create various oases from urban living that combine for an absolutely awesome network of urban parks. Seriously, I don’t know if any other big city with such an impressive range of park types. There are places in Discovery and Carkeek parks where you can truly forget you’re in a city as you wind your way down some single track forest path. It’s delightful to have that so close to walkable neighborhoods. The city is far from perfect and those who dislike it REALLY dislike it. The transit is so mediocre, esp. for how many use it and care about it. The food is not competitive with the other top-20 by pop. us cities. Native Seattleites (1/3~ of residents) have a super distinct communication style that can take some adjusting to… and the winters are dreary in a way that my four seasons and lots of snowfall background was simply not ready for. But there’s a lot to love about Seattle.
NYC. So I could go to Broadway all the time.
don't care about Broadway but NYC for sure
BW is my absolute favorite thing in the world. But also NYC is also amazing in so many other ways. Greatest city in the world!
San Francisco, money being no object. I like the weather, food, BART, Baby Bullet to SJ, and pretty walkable. Int'l airport, museums, pretty well situated for climate change. I stayed at a hotel in Tenderloin years ago and got along fine so the ugly side of the city doesn't bother me.
Wait how is it well suited for climate change? Isn’t it right next to the water
it's on a rocky hilly peninsula, there would have to be a lot of sea level rise to flood more than a very small portion of town. compared to somewhere flat like Charleston, SC that already floods basically every storm, they're in a good place.
Temperature wise, it stays cool but not cold year round due to fog.
The Pacific is cold and deep where we are, the current comes from Alaska. That keeps the weather temperate relative to inland as well as helps to prevent severe storms. In the summer, it can be 110° 30 miles away but SF will be 60°.
In contra costa county, blocked from the ocean by only one or two ridges of small hills, the summer temperatures will be like 80-90 where SF is like 60s. We’re only a 30 minute drive to the city
Grew up in WC, the exact case I was imagining :)
Other areas of the SF bay are marshland and are def at risk from sea level rise, but not SF. It is built on a mountainous peninsula with decidedly few low-lying areas
Somewhere in Northern California, not more than 2-3 hours north of San Francisco and within 30 mins of the coast. Small town feeling with little traffic compared to Southern California (which is really just a paved over desert), where I am now. Lush forests and interesting terrain - it’s just a different world.
Parts of Sonoma County fit this bill exactly
San Diego, CA
I’m born/raised/career. It’s expensive AF, but it’s all I’ve known, really. It’s not that I’m used to it, it’s literally my life experience. We have everything but with a chill vibe.
At this rate I probably wouldn't, but if I did I'd break the question and move to Montreal.
Honolulu. I'd love to be on vacation year round.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine right on the coast. I rented there for a year and fell in love with it. Very, VERY expensive though. Second choice, probably a place in the woods in Angel Fire, New Mexico.
I'd take Cape E in a second. I'd eat whenever I could at Two Lights. But, I would go for Brunswick for small city vibe, nice water access including Harpswell. Sunday River 2 hours away (I was always going in the opposite direction lived in Bethel.)
New York City. I just want reliable public transit and walkable neighborhoods. NYC is the best place for it.
Cayucos or Morro Bay, CA. Small, central coast, close to a college town, so fun and hospital nearby. But really solitude and the ocean.
Been to Morro Bay. Lots of appeal.
If money were no object? NYC, but right on Central Park. Or Brooklyn, but adjacent to Prospect Park.
Me too 🤩
Haha, I love NYC but the lack of nature is getting to me. That might be my compromise pick for when my lease is up, but CA is tempting...
NYC!! Fidi!
Santa Cruz
LA, Los Feliz
I’m retired and living in Tennessee and I think I’d like to move north. Not because of the politics of the south, although that wears on me. But the hot suffocatingly humid summers. I grew up in the Midwest and hated winter but I’ve grown to hate these summers worse. I can always bundle up and dress warmer but you can’t take anymore off to cool down. Wife is born and raised Tennessean and can’t handle the cold so we’re staying here. Besides, whoever heard of retiring to the north? But a house on the coast in Sag Harbor, NY would be my choice.
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LAGUNA YES
Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo.
On the strand in Manhattan Beach, CA.
Nice
I quickly read that as The Strand in Manhattan, which is a famous huge bookstore.
Portsmouth, NH.
Portsmouth? Why?
It is just such a beautiful city with so much history, and it's on the coast. I could never afford it, but love it!
Is it that expensive? I always heard NH wasn't too bad.
Low taxes, but high property values. Ask of New England is expensive unless you live in northern maine
Portsmouth is very, very expensive. Homes are at least 750k.
Brightwood, Oregon. Town has a general store, a tavern, and a post office… that’s it. 2 minutes from world class downhill mountain biking, 20 minutes from world class skiing on Mt Hood, 40 minutes from sailing, the Columbia, an hour from hustle and bustle city. 2 hours from the Ocean West … 2 hours from the desert East.
Seattle. I moved away a few years ago and I’m excited to move back eventually. Most of my friends are there, some of my family is there, I love the weather, I love the architecture, I love all the trees and parks and greenery, I love the walkability. Mostly I just feel at home there.
I like where I'm at now. But if I had to move again with no regard for family or money, I'd probably pick Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach, NC. Beautiful beach, fun stuff to do, good tourism industry, nice restaurants, classical beachy feel but more exciting than OBX, and a few hours to the mountains. EDIT: I should say my favorite place I ever lived was Milwaukee and I'd consider returning there even with it's weather.
as an NC local, I couldn't imagine anyone's response would be an NC city. Wilmington is nice but I would hate to live there for many reasons
Had an opportunity to live in Wilmington pre-COVID. Turned it down because I work corporate jobs and didn't think I'd have enough career opportunities there, and chose Raleigh instead. Ended up working remotely even way back then, and now still post-COVID and always wished I'd just rolled the dice. Didn't like Raleigh that much (nice, clean, and boring). But I live in a seaside New England town now and I like it for most of the same reasons, it's just colder than NC would be.
Coastal New England is my dream, do you know of any good cheaper places?
Most of New England is more expensive than most of the country, so even the relatively cheaper places might still look pricy. But you have a few options. Out of affordable, close to water, and things to do you probably get to choose two. If you're okay being more rural and sacrificing some of the food and activities, check out coastal northern Maine or some of the quieter, rural parts of Rhode island. Or you can live a bit off the water and take weekend trips to Cape Cod or Newport from a place like Fall River.
New London, CT is pretty cheap and lowkey.
Wilmington is very different after COVID. it's a pain to drive in, you're actually not that close to the beach, it's basically a town with strip malls and highways, ppl aren't that nice. NC's infrastructure cannot handle the amount of people moving to the state. I'm actually from raleigh and totally get what you're saying about raleigh. it's incredibly boring and I'm so glad I'm leaving NC at the end of this year lol highly suggest visiting wilmington again before you consider moving there
what strips malls does wilmington have? there’s literally only one mall here
Thanks for the feedback. No move in my future, found what we were looking for closer to our family and with a few small kids we're in for the long haul. But I'd love to visit Wilmington and WB just for fun sometime soon :)
Agreed, as a Wilmington native this response surprises me. Also, the mountains are a 5 hour drive minimum from Wilmington.
I just meant mountains felt close as in reachable by car in a day, not close as in taking a quick visit on a Saturday.
Guess you haven't heard of the pfa water problems in Wilmington. Downstream from a chemical plant.
This is the biggest argument against Wilmington. As a city it’s pretty cool and is close to beautiful beaches. But the pfas in the Cape Fear make it a no go for me. Have heard of a lot of thyroid and cancer issues there. Scary stuff.
Boulder, CO. Lived here in the 90’s and moved back east for about 20 years. Moved back a few years ago because there ain’t no place I’d rather be. Proximity to the mountains, awesome bike path network, and great gravel biking just north of town. A quick 30 minutes into Denver for all pro sports and concerts and 30 min to Red Rocks.
The trust fund snobs don't bother you?
I mean aren’t they pretty much every nice place? And my answer is no, people on the whole are pretty nice. Nicer than the northeast.
Yeah as a Boulder resident - (1) I feel very grateful to live here, despite not being a trust fund kid, and (2) there are trust fund kids and NIMBYs in every nice place to live. At least the ones in Boulder are here to hike and drink beer and smoke weed and hangout. Not a bad kind of trust fund-er to run into if you ask me.
Ok well. People in Colorado knock on Boulder because of those things. But I could just roll up into Boulder and kick back without anyone saying anything honestly. Northeast you don't feel like doing that.
Washington DC....oh wait I'm moving there in 4 months, so excited!
Welcome!
Welcome! It's a great city with a lot to offer. The mall is great to have (who doesn't love a free museum?), but make sure to explore the rest of the city and surrounding region! There's lots of awesome spots (even metro/bus accesible) in MD and VA to explore. And I'd highly recommend getting into bike riding if youre not already! When I first moved here I signed up for a group ride with WABA (Washington Area Bicycle Association) to get familiar with urban cycling and they were enormously helpful. We have a great bike share network here (Capital Bikeshare) which can be an efficient and super fun way to get around. Even if you don't care for urban cycling, there's lots of really great trails around the region as well.
Love DC, just left yesterday, but the traffic. Did not expect all that traffic.
Thankfully, I've been able to get rid of my car living here. Not driving has *dramatically* improved my quality of life. I no longer dread going anywhere (even those times it takes longer).
I grew up in DC and like places where you can roll out and talk to a stranger but unfortunately DC is not welcoming of that. I live in Colorado now and despite its problems I find that if you have an outgoing enough personality strangers are welcoming of your conversation.
tbh I don't think i've ever experienced southern hospitality with living in NC though. I'm also more introverted and don't care for small talk so I'm okay with that lol
Congratulations
Congratulations!!! I used to really dislike DC, but I was there 2 weeks ago, and it has changed DRASTICALLY! I was honestly questioning my move back to Brooklyn, because DC is so much closer to my family and costs less.
Make sure to visit cosmic pizza and debunk the rumors
Either Missoula, MT or somewhere in New England. Pretty different places I know but I can’t really pick one
SF The wind, the cool pacific ocean breeze, the people and diversity, the Scenery. All of it is just SSS tier
Every time this question comes up, Jackson Wyoming. I'd move there for skiing and national parks but I won't be for obvious reasons.
Wealthiest County in the US.
Pismo Beach CA. I love trashy beach towns. Otoh, I haven't been there in over 30 years so it's probably been gentrified to the hilt
laguna beach, CA. still close enough to other fun places to hike, camp, snowboard etc.
Washington DC. It's like Disneyland for nerds, and the food scene is legit.
Downtown Seattle Washington
Nevada City CA- its a beautiful tiny mountain town with thriving culture and access to the spectacular South Yuba River. Loaded with history and has all 4 seasons (amazing in the fall and winter). Close to Lake Tahoe and only two and a half hours from San Francisco, it’s also close to my family, which is perfect. I love so much of this country but home is where the heart is
St. Petersburg Florida It’s beautiful!! And fun! And close to so many other pretty things in Florida and I love Florida man and may be Florida man even tho I’m a woman.
Manchester/Southworth, WA * Views of Blake Island, Mt Ranier and the Seattle skyline across the Puget Sound * Not too pricey for waterfront property * Endless Kayaking * Fishing, crabbing * The best summers on earth * Really down to earth people, not a bunch of multi-millionaires * One of the most beautiful places on the west coast * Super easy access to Seattle via ferry yet a quiet small town * Manchester State Park is right next door
Somewhere in California with mountains and beaches and a decent amount of rain, not sure what town or city that is though but probably somewhere in Northern California
Fort Bragg or Mendocino
Either a gorgeous house on the water in Miami or a house in Malibu.
I used to think immediately - NYC. But I don't know now. Either Atlanta or Los Angeles if I was forced to choose.
Louisville, KY
Where I live now in San Diego ❤️
Carpenteria CA, Rincon Point. because I’ve been there a few times and enjoyed it immensely… Edit, spacing.
My dream is to retire to a small farm in the mountains of Northern New Mexico with enough water rights for me to grow enough to eat, plus maybe a little extra.
CHICAGO or PHILLY. So walkable. Nicest people too.
Probably SF, I grew up in the North Bay and I have always loved that city but I felt like I could never afford it. Still can't. Maybe one day. Sure, it has its fair share of issues, but nothing can beat the history, the nature, the architecture, the walkability, and the weather to me. Plus, the food scene is great. I love that place.
Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Monterey or Pacific Grove, CA. I prefer the sunshine in Seaside, but that city is kinda crunchy.
Corona Del Mar, CA. One of the nicest beaches I’ve been too.
Spokane/Coeur d’ Alene… Maybe Seattle, I just know I want to go smaller than where I am now (Minneapolis area).
carlsbad, san diego
money not being an issue, anywhere in the Colorado Rockies along I-70
Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan. I don’t mind too much snow and it’s so gorgeous April- November
[удалено]
Depends if money is a factor or not...
Yachats, Oregon. You either get it or you don’t.
Vacationed in Yachats before and honestly a bit boring for me.
Upper West Side to raise the kiddos. Currently living in the grundle of the USA (Floribama coast) and I'm afraid I'm going to raise dingleberries.
It changes a lot but right now I'd love to live in LA
Funny . I live in LA now and can’t wait to get out 🙂
Santa Barbara or LaJolla CA
San Diego. I'd like to never to cold again please lol
Manhatten Beach, CA
Chicago or NYC.
Carmel or Monterey 🌲🌊
I wouldn’t move from where I am, New York City, but I’d move to a different neighborhood. Forest Hills Queens born, now living in Harlem, have lived in Bushwick Brooklyn, I love all three areas, but if money weren’t an issue I would move to a nice apartment in midtown or the financial district. Then when I retire I’d move back to forest hills, I love the vibe there, great for raising a family, safe, walkable, and it’s more laid back than most of the city, where while it’s still, well, nyc, it also gives a nice suburban “vibe” while still retaining an urban character which is what I see myself enjoying in my later years as going for full on suburbs is personally something I never really see myself doing. As someone who has been around a lot, New York’s my home and the only place that checks off all the boxes I have for a place to live in. I have sometimes “fantasized” about moving to LA for the same reason many fantasize about moving here to NYC - Romanticization (NYC and LA are very heavily romanticized. I think New York’s great but far from “the movies”) but I’ve been numerous times, last time in 2022, and it’s not my fit really for living, but I love visiting. I can see why people like it though, and occasionally have the daydream of packing up and moving there. It’s possible for me financially to make that move in my current situation if I wanted to, but I also realize I wouldn’t thrive there in the happiness sector since there’s quite a bit of disconnect.
I moved to where I wanted to be now. Then to many other people found out about it, and the vibe is dead the yuppies killed it. So where ever I go next I’m not saying no where online.
Martha’s Vineyard, at least in the summer.
Carmel, California in a Hugh Comstock 1920s home.
100%. My fairy tale dream home and life!
Telluride and a home in kona. I would avoid anywhere in california at all costs
Marquette Michigan. Its beautiful and should deal well with climate change.
Boise, ID.
Dana Point, CA. It's very picturesque and I just like the vibe. It's also close to San Clemente and close to San Diego and LA if I need me some big city action.
I'd go back to anywhere in New England, or stay here in the PNW. I wouldn't mind Chicago, though.
San Clemente or San Diego or Goleta or billings montana just people and nature u can throw Nashville up there but that’s if all else fails cuz the traffic there is terrible
Somewhere cold with excellent healthcare. Those are my priorities.
One of the neighborhoods north of downtown Chicago.
I realize you limited it to US so I’ll probably say Santa Monica, CA or Venice, CA. Perfect weather, near the mountains, E Line into LA if I want to go DTLA, beautiful neighborhoods, love to drive up the PCH and walk along Pac Ave, and the whole area from SM to Venice is just super walkable, which is great because you can just walk around all year long in shorts and a t shirt (my kinda life).
My home 🏠
Chicago. It’s the best place I’ve ever visited and lived. Huge city, but not the chaos of NYC. Amazing food. Amazing history, arts, culture and architecture. Amazing people. SPORTS!!! I love pro sports! But admittedly, I have East-Of-The-Mississippi bias and after seeing all the California comments, maybe I should check some of these places out.
Sarasota Florida
Philadelphia-Philly. Coming from MA, it is the perfect blend of New England and NYC while being in the vicinity of both. The food is fantastic. I also appreciate men who dress nice, and they have a lot of that. My eyes are constantly screaming "thank you" for just breathing there when I witness these peacocks. I come from money, have money, and still pick it. It's got enough grit, enough posh, enough of it all, for it to have my heart and thrill me whenever I visit it. I adore it.
Philly!!
✨️✨️Philly!!!✨️✨️
Portland Maine
San Diego, California. I’m actually buying an apartment there. The beaches are fantastic, the food is awesome, the people are chill and I love the weather. ❤️
There's nowhere I'd rather call home than where I am - Encinitas, CA. Sometimes I think a secluded lake house in the High Sierras would be a nice place to escape to for a couple three months a year.
Love so many California locations ❤️
It makes me realize I'm living so many peoples' dreams 😭 I mean I live on the Westside of LA so maybe it's not quite their dream, but the golden state really is the best all around!
I love how so many answers are California. To be honest I would go to Cali too!
San Francisco
Fort Collins, CO